Reel Earth Environmental Film Fest, New Zealand

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MISSION & OBJECTIVE

Reel Earth is the leading nature, wildlife, science and environmental film festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

We recognise and award excellence in filmmaking through an annual competitive film festival.

Reel Earth believes that through storytelling we can change attitudes and behaviour. Our aim is to make a positive difference for the environment by celebrating you the filmmaker, and by connecting your work with audiences in and beyond the festival.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival is an annual, competitive film festival and symposium held in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The festival is a destination event for proven and emerging talent focused on film and the environment.

2015 is our 10th season as the Southern Hemisphere's leading nature, wildlife, science and environment film festival. However, we will NOT take submissions for this season.

We welcome diversity of film - from traditional documentaries, to fiction, science fiction and animation. We welcome a range of environment themes from wildlife and natural history, to contemporary issues, and environmental and social justice.

We encourage filmmakers from around the globe to share the environmental stories that they care about with audiences in New Zealand by entering the festival competition.

The Festival has a sound selection, judging and award panel incorporating leading New Zealand scientists and professional filmmakers on the panels. Awards are announced at a gala night during the festival. We encourage filmmakers to attend.

New Zealand's film industry is "one of the wonders of the world...an unparalleled success story". New Zealand has impressive environmental credentials, World Heritage sites and a 100% pure image. Host city Palmerston North is the home to Massey University and leading science, research and and environment organisations. Nearby Wellington is the heart of New Zealand's successful international film industry, where films such as The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and Avatar are made.

We welcome filmmakers to visit Palmerston North during the festival, and run a diverse and engaging programme of events which are all free of charge for visiting filmmakers. Previous visiting filmmakers have all been amazed at the warm 'Kiwi' hospitality, networking opportunities, interesting and rewarding events, and the fun they had. Many combine a visit to some of New Zealand's oustanding natural wonders in their trip.

Reel Earth is committed to making a positive difference for the environment by connecting people with the real stories of our time. We aim to provide an excellent festival experience for film makers and audience alike, including a range of film and environment workshops, seminars and networking events.

The Reel Earth Film Awards seek to celebrate integrity and excellence in international and New Zealand film making, aiming to inspire and reward creators of high quality, high impact, marketable films about the environment.

A selection of top films in Reel Earth are further privileged to tour throughout the regions of New Zealand, pending successful negotiation with film distribution and rights holders.

Environmental integrity is core to our philosophy. Reel Earth practices and our sponsors and festival partners are all vetted for tangible evidence of a commitment to achieving environmental sustainability.

ORGANIZERS

GENERAL RULES

Premiere status is taken into consideration for every submission to REEL EARTH. Ascending priority given to:
New Zealand Premieres
Australasian Premieres
Southern Hemisphere Premieres
World Premieres.

WE WILL NOT TAKE ANY SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2015 SEASON

Entered films generally must not have a major cinema or DVD release in New Zealand, or New Zealand broadcast performance prior to the 29 June 2015. If in doubt, contact the festival director.

More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee.

PREVIEW SCREENER FORMAT:
Due to the cost, environmental impact and timeframe of sending screeners to New Zealand, our PREFERENCE IS FOR ONLINE SCREENERS. We must be able to view and share these with our selection panel and jury panel. Up to 8 people are involved in this process.

If necessary, DVDs will be accepted for preview screening. Preview DVDs must be labelled with the WAB number, title, running time, and contact information on face of disc. Failure to do so may disqualify your film. Preview and screener DVDs will not be returned. Please do not send originals.

EXCERPTS/COPIES: By submitting to Reel Earth you agree that the festival may use up to 30 seconds of your film for publicity purposes. Reel Earth may also make a copy of films that are selected to screen for exhibition, judging and media preview purposes.

SCREENING EVENTS pre and post festival: Reel Earth reserves the right to organise non-commercial promotional events screening segments or the entirety of a film, for the sole purpose of promoting Reel Earth.

35MM FILM. We do not accept 35mm film.

POSTMARK. Entries received after the final deadline date (14 February 2015). The deadline for receipt of preview screeners is 20 February 2015. If your film is accepted to screen in the festival, you will be notified around 31 March 2015 +/- a week. The final deadline for receipt of exhibition copies is Friday 20 April 2015. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH INSTRUCTIONS / DEADLINES MEANS YOUR FILM WILL NOT SCREEN.

TOUR: Select Reel Earth films are included in a multi city tour, contigent on successful negotiations with the filmmaker and/or the distributor to agree screening rights for the tour.

ENTRY: Entry via WAB grants Reel Earth the right to screen submitted film in the festival. Withdrawal of an entered film after 28 February 2015 will incur a service charge of US$250.

By entering Reel Earth, filmmakers agree to be part of these events as described above.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Premiere status is taken into consideration for every submission to REEL EARTH. Ascending priority given to:
New Zealand Premieres, Australasian Premieres, Southern Hemisphere Premieres, World Premieres.

Entered films generally must not have a major cinema or DVD release in New Zealand, or New Zealand broadcast performance prior to the 29 June 2015. If in doubt, contact the festival director.

More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee.

PREVIEW SCREENER FORMAT:
Due to the cost, environmental impact and timeframe of sending screeners to New Zealand, our PREFERENCE IS FOR ONLINE SCREENERS. We must be able to view and share these with our selection panel and jury panel. Up to 8 people are involved in this process.

If necessary, DVDs will be accepted for preview screening. Preview DVDs must be labelled with the WAB number, title, running time, and contact information on face of disc. Failure to do so may disqualify your film. Preview and screener DVDs will not be returned. Please do not send originals.

EXCERPTS/COPIES: By submitting to Reel Earth you agree that the festival may use up to 30 seconds of your film for publicity purposes. Reel Earth may also make a copy of films that are selected to screen for exhibition, judging and media preview purposes.

SCREENING EVENTS pre and post festival: Reel Earth reserves the right to organise non-commercial promotional events screening segments or the entirety of a film, for the sole purpose of promoting Reel Earth.

35MM FILM. We do not accept 35mm film.

POSTMARK. Entries received after the final deadline date (14 February 2015). The deadline for receipt of preview screeners is 20 February 2015. If your film is accepted to screen in the festival, you will be notified around 31 March 2015 +/- a week. The final deadline for receipt of exhibition copies is Friday 20 April. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH INSTRUCTIONS / DEADLINES MEANS YOUR FILM WILL NOT SCREEN.

TOUR: Select Reel Earth films are included in a multi city tour, contigent on successful negotiations with the filmmaker and/or the distributor to agree screening rights for the tour.

ENTRY: Entry via WAB grants Reel Earth the right to screen submitted film in the festival. Withdrawal of an entered film after 28 February 2015 will incur a service charge of US$250.

I have read, understood, and hereby agree to the terms written in the General Festival Rules for Reel Earth 2015.